Founded in 1348, Charles University is one of the oldest universities in the world. Prague is a vibrant and fascinating ancient city. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was once the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. This program is also one of the best values in Europe.

This country is part of the Schengen area. Please clickhere to learn more about important rules and restrictions for foreign visitors to this area.

Where You Will Study

Set in the heart of Prague, Charles University is the oldest, largest and most prestigious university in the Czech Republic. The University has 17 Faculties and 42,000 students enrolled in more than 270 accredited academic programs and 600 departments. The University provides unique opportunities for exchange students to take full advantage of the culture and lifestyle that is uniquely Prague with easy access to the City Center. You can read more about Charles on this informational page.

The City of Prague is considered by many to be the most picturesque in Europe. Nicknamed the "City of 100 hundred spires," some of the buildings in the Prague's Old Town date back as far as the Ninth Century. "New Town", situated adjacent to the Old Town, was constructed by Charles IV in the 14th Century. Located next to the River Vlatva in Central Bohemia, modern Prague is home to more than 1.2 million people and ranks among the cultural gems of the continent. Listed as a UNESCO's World Heritage Site since 1992, the city is full of life with magnificent museums, festivals, and a vibrant and globally renowned film industry.

Academics

The language of instruction for regular university courses is Czech. However, UW students have access to a large variety of coursework available in English through the Eastern and Central European Studies Program, which is part of the Faculty of Arts. You can also take Czech language courses designed for foreigners through the University's Institute of Czech Studies. Courses offered in English include: cinema studies, history, political science, Jewish studies, Slavic literature, art history and architecture among many others.

If you’re looking for a record of how courses from this institution have been transferred in the past, visit the credit equivalency database to help you determine what foreign courses might satisfy your academic needs here at the UW.

For more information on how these courses will appear on your UW transcript, please visit: credits for exchanges

Housing

Students are responsible for securing and funding their own housing in Prague but are encouraged to apply for accommodations through the International Students Office at Charles University. The university operates several residence halls for students. The office also provides resources and guidance for students who wish to arrange private accommodations.

Program Expenses, Financial Aid & Scholarships

As a participant of a university exchange, you pay an exchange fee equivalent to UW tuition (1.5 quarters of UW tuition for semester-long exchanges, and 3 quarters of UW tuition for academic year exchanges). Exchange fees are determined by UW residency status: in-state students pay an exchange fee equivalent to in-state tuition, and out-of-state students pay an exchange fee equivalent to out-of-state tuition. The exchange fee and IPE administrative fee are charged to your UW account and due by the UW tuition deadline for your term(s) of study abroad. In most cases, you pay housing fees directly to the host institution or housing facility. You should also budget for additional expenses such as international airfare & transportation, books & course materials, visa & passport fees, study abroad insurance and personal expenses.

In general, the Charles University Exchange is a great value. Dorms are available for around $150 per month and the cost of living in the city is considerably less than Seattle.

For the total estimated costs of this particular program, you may request a budget by filling out a Budget Request Form.

For more information about budgeting, financial aid, and scholarships for study abroad visit our page on Finances.

Application Process

To apply for this exchange, click the "Apply Now" button and follow the prompts to create an application. After you create your application, click on each of the links on your study abroad application homepage and complete the remaining application requirements: questionnaires, material submissions, and electronic signature documents.

University exchanges may also require completion of a secondary application specific to the host institution. Instructions about this process will be provided to you by your study abroad advisor following your selection for the exchange.

Program Evaluations

After participating in a UW Study Abroad program, students are asked to complete a Program Evaluation Report detailing their experiences abroad and giving advice for future students. These reports cover all aspects of a student's time abroad, including orientation, academics, housing, finances, and cultural differences.

To see past students' evaluations for the Charles University Direct Exchange program, click on the link below.

Note: student names and contact information have been crossed off for confidentiality reasons. If you would like to get in contact with a previous participant of this program, please inquire at the Study Abroad Office or email studyabroad@uw.edu.

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